Follow the Leader: Line in the Visual Arts

1. Lining Up

Examine the painting, taking note of compositional lines in Woods’ painting. Print out the line drawing of the painting and mark the compositional lines on the print out, and then answer the following question:

What kinds of lines—actual or implied—are present in the Woods painting that move the viewer’s eye around the picture?

You can use the following diagram, along with your own work, to help you answer this question.

Search Berman’s image for horizontal, vertical, and diagonal compositional lines that move the viewer’s attention around the image. Print out the line drawing of this painting and mark these compositional lines on the print out. Once you have finished noting these lines on the print out answer the following questions:

Where, if anywhere, do these lines meet or cross?

How do these lines move the eye from one corner of the image to another?

2. In the Line of Sight

Identify compositional lines in Rice’s painting. Print out the line drawing of this painting and mark those compositional lines on the print out. Remember that you are looking not only for real or visible compositional lines, but also for implied compositional lines.

Next, view the following diagram of Rice’s painting. This diagram shows both the visible compositional lines formed by the figures’ arms and bodies, but also the implied compositional lines formed by their lines of sight.

Print out the line drawing of Waugh’s painting. Working together with your group, mark the compositional lines in this painting on the print out. Be sure that you mark both the visible and the implied lines of Waugh’s painting.

3. What Kind of Lines?

Part 1

First, take a look at the following portrait by the French artist Jacques-Louis David:

As you view this painting, write notes on your overall impression of the image. Answer the following questions, as well as marking compositional lines on the line drawing of this painting.

What is your overall impression of David’ portrait of Napoleon- is this painting horizontal? Vertical? Explain your answer: what about the painting gives you the impression that it is one or the other?

View the following diagram of the painting, and then answer the following questions:

As you view this painting, write notes on your overall impression of the image. Answer the following questions, as well as marking compositional lines on the line drawing of this painting.

What is your overall impression of David’ portrait of Napoleon- is this painting horizontal? Vertical? Explain your answer: what about the painting gives you the impression that it is one or the other?

View the following diagram of the painting, and then answer the following questions:

As you view this painting, write notes on your overall impression of the image. Answer the following questions, as well as marking compositional lines on the line drawing of this painting.

What is your overall impression of David’ portrait of Napoleon- is this painting horizontal? Vertical? Something else? Explain your answer: what about the painting gives you the impression that it is one or the other?